“All things were created by God, therefore upon Him all mankind are equally dependent, and to Him they are equally responsible.”

That sentence appears in a required textbook used in the American Government class at Heritage Academy, a public charter school for seventh through twelfth graders with three campusus near Phoenix, Ariz.

A Texas Supreme Court justice recently wrote a dissent arguing that it should be legal for government bodies to deny same-sex couples spousal benefits because – get this – it would “encourage procreation.”

The dissent followed the Sept. 2 Texas Supreme Court’s rejection of an appeal of a ruling that required provision of spousal benefits to same-sex couples. Justice John Devine, however, wanted to take the case and reverse the lower court’s ruling, which forbids the state from treating same-sex couples as second-class citizens.

Last night around 9:40 I received an email with a curious subject line. “The Greatest American Woman, R.I.P.,” it read.

“Who could that be?” I wondered as I opened the message. Came the answer: Phyllis Schlafly.

“Today, Phyllis Schlafly died like she lived – with dignity and a smile,” wrote Ed Martin, president of the Eagle Forum, a group Schlafly founded. “Surrounded by her family, Phyllis passed away and entered her reward with the Lord. Her family, friends and staff will miss her. Her nation will be eternally grateful.”

An anti-gay fundamentalist Christian group successfully infiltrated an Iowa public high school assembly a few months ago – a move that angered some parents.

Last spring, the Todd Becker Foundation (TBF) gave a presentation during the school day to Logan-Magnolia Junior/Senior High School in Logan about the dangers of drinking and driving. That lecture cost the school $1,500, money that school Superintendent Tom Ridder felt was well spent.

Four years after running unsuccessfully for president, former U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) is back in the news cycle in yet another election year – this time for saying that God chose Donald Trump to become the Republican presidential nominee.

A Democrat running for state office in New York said if elected, he’ll work to ensure that photos of same-sex couples do not appear in public school textbooks.

S.J. Jung is challenging incumbent state Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Queens) for her seat. Stavisky, who defeated Jung back in 2014, voted to legalize same-sex marriage in New York. It seems that move didn’t sit well with Jung, who is hoping to rally anti-gay voters to his cause.

When I first heard Americans United for Separation of Church and State had an opening for a communications associate, I was excited because of what a good fit it is for my personal and professional experience. To be able to utilize my skillset for a cause I feel strongly about? Yes, please!

Aside from our constitutional rights, what predominantly drew me to issues of separating church and state by law is striving for political and social equality.

Why did Donald Trump, a real estate mogul and reality TV star with no political experience, decide to run for president?

We have no shortage of theories. Some say Trump wanted free publicity to boost his sagging personal brand. Others assert it was all a stunt to launch a new cable TV channel. Still others insist Trump jumped in to shake things up and have a little fun, never expecting to actually win the Republican nomination.

Now Trump’s son Eric has put forth a new theory: His father was upset because the White House Christmas tree was renamed a “holiday tree.”